cossitt



M, L. cossrr'r MANIFOLDING PLATEN FOR TYPIWRIVTIRS I Sept. 1 1, 1923.

Filed Aug. 12

H if m 3% 2% m 3 7 Rm km N) II I n IFHM IHM IHHH Patented Sept. ll, 1923..

ETED STATES MALCOLM L. COSSITT, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOB TO MANIFOLD IMPRES- SIONS CORPORATION, OF CARSON CITY, NEVADA, A CORPORATION OF NEVADA.

MANIFOLDING PLATEN FOR TYPFWRITERS.

Application filed August 12, 1922. Serial No. 581,478. I

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MALCOLM L. Cossrrr, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Oakland, county of Alameda, and State of California, have invented certain. new and useful Improvements in Manifolding Platens for Typewriters, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the art of producing copies of originals by the employment of manifold impression members. I It is gen erally adapted for devices and machines employing an impression tablet, but especially for typewriting and type impression machines in which the tablet employed is the common, rotatable, cylindrical platen.

The object of my invention is to provide a manifolding device comprising a platen member, a manifolding member and operating mechanism all incorporated in such intimate relation as to form a single unitary, self contained. structure, equally adapted for lIlCOI'l'KHLiJlOD in the original manufacture of machines and for substitution for the usual platens of existing machines.

To this end my invention consists in the novel manifolding platen which I shall now fully describe by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section, broken, of my nianifolding platen.

Fig, 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. l is a section on the line ll of F ig. 1. i

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 55 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a section on the line 7-7 of Fig. 1. one of the manifolding members being shown in functional position.

F 8 is aperspective view showing the 'iirotal and radially slidable association of the carrying arms of the manifolding mem-- bers and the sleeves which connect a pair of arms for unitary movement.

Fig, 9 is a perspective view showing a modification with respect to the mounting of the manifolding member for swinging and radially sliding movement.

The platen member proper comprises a peripheral portion '1 with covering 2, and ends 3. It is rotatably mounted, by means of its ends, upon a hollow bearing member 1 which extends longitudinally through it and which carries at each end a housing 5, adjacent to but independent of the platen member ends.

6 is a rotatable shaft lying in the axis of the platen member, the housing 5, and their connecting bearing member 4:. One end of this-shaft carries a knob 7 for turning it.

Upon shaft'6are one or more sleeves, here shown as three-Fig. 1. These sleeves are nested and aremounted for independent rotation about the shaft6 as a common axis. The outermost sleeve is designated by 8, the next by 8 and the innermost by 8". The ends of these sleeves project into the respective housingsS to successive distances, the outermost extending therein to the shortest distance and the innermost to the longest" as seen in Fig. 1. Fitted upon each end of the sleeves are the respective carrying arms 9, 9 and 97. The connection between the arms and the sleeves is one which adapts said arms by swinging movement to rotate the sleeves, and during their swinging movement to slide radially with respect to the sleeves. Such connection is herein shown, particularly in Figs. 7 and 8, as comprising a bifurcated. inner end 10 of the arm, slidably forked upon the flattened sides 11 of the sleeve extremity. Thearms 9, 9 and 9 are conveniently spaced by washers 12, Fig. 1, at their inner ends, and thence said arms extend in parallel spaceifl relation radially within the housings 5 and out through the peripheral wall of the housings in elongated slots 13 in said wall, as seen in Fig. 1.

Between the extremities of each pair of arms is carried the manifolding nen'ibers 1d, 14: andl l respectively, indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1, said members bearing a copying-medium adapting them for n'ianifolding.

It will now be seen that if one of the arms be swunginan arcuate path, it will turn the sleeve to which it is fitted; and the corresponding arm at the other end of the sleeve will thereby be moved in unison with the first arm. Moreover, by reason of the radially slidable fitting of the arms on. the

sleeve, it is possible under the influence ot suitable guides to distort the arcuate path to one eccentric to its axis. Such a guide is provided by an eccentric slot 15-Figs. 3 and 6, in the wall of the housings 5, in which slots the studs 16 projecting laterally from the arms play. The eccentricity ot the guide slot 15 is such that when the studs 16 are in the outer end of the slots the arms are projected to their limit beyond their housings 5, Fig. 1, and as the studs move forward and down in the slot 15, the arms are retracted to their inner limit, as seen by the depressed arm in Fig. 7.

The effect of this is to elevate the manifolding members when out of use, as seen in Fig. 1, suiiiciently far above the platen, to get them well out of the way; also to enable the tops of the record sheets to be conveniently handled to receive the manitolding members between them when said members are depressed; also to conveniently renew said members, since the arms project tar enough to enable the members of a pair to be pressed towards each other, the arms being resilient laterally, as is known in the art, and thus permit the manitolding member to be readily attached, and held under tension by the backward spring of the arms, the tension effect being heightened as the arms move down and retract within the peripheral slots of the housings; and, also finally, a matter that is very important, to provide for a movement of said arms about the axis of the platen which will result in the final depressed functional position of the mani'folding members in the line of type impact as close to the platen as may be required. as seen in Fig. '7. Thus both elevation of the manitolding' members well and conveniently beyond the surface oi the platen. and their retraction inwardly close to said surface are eitected in a single continuous eccentric path, about the axis of the platen.

In order to operate the arms, and, where a plurality of pairs of arms, as herein shown, are present, to operate them selec tively and successively, there is the followinn mechanism.

Pivotally mounted upon the central shaft 6, within the housing 5 at the right hand end, are the three levers 1T, 17' and 1T- Fi 1. The upper end of the first lever 17 is forked at 18 over the stud 16 of the first arm 9, while the upper ends of the other two le vers lie behind the studs 16 ot the other arms respectively, as seen in Fig. 6.

The lower ends of the levers are provided with the laterally projecting pins 19, 19 and 19 respectively, which play in slots 20, 20 and 20-Fig. 5 respectively, in the walls of the housing 5, said slots being concentric with the axis of movement of the pins. Figs. 4: and 5.

It will now be seen that if the pin 19 be caused to travel, it will turn its lever 17, about the shaft 6, and the upper end of the lever engagzinp the stud 16 ot the foremost arm 9, will swing said arm. So, too, will the other arms 9 and 9" be swung, it the levers 17' and 17" be operated.

Mounted rotatably upon the shaft 6 is a sleeve 21, Fig. 1, having a knob 22 for turning it. The inner end of the sleeve carries a crank 23, as seen in Fig. 5, to which is pivoted a pawl 24, controlled by a spring 25, tending to throw the pawl outwardly. hen the pawl is in its closest-in position, that is, nearest the sleeve 21, it lies in position to engage the pin 19 of the lever 17. In its next outer position it engages the pin 19 of the lever 17 and in its outmost position it engages the pin 17" of the lever 19. A stop stud 26 on the pawl, coacts with a fixed cam 27 on the inner wall of the housing 5 to control these positions.

Upon the crank 23 is a return arm Fig. which, when the rotation of the sleeve 21 is reversed, is adapted to contact with the innermost pin 19, and by moving back the lever 17 of said pin, will through the forked end 18 of said lever move the stud 16 of the first arm 9; and as said arm is the innermost of the arm series, and the arm studs 16 are nested in the arms as shown in F ig. 7, all the levers and arms will be re turned, and moreover in this return movement the stop stud 26 of the selective pawl 24, engaging the cam 27, will restore the pawl to its normal closein position. By these means the maniiolding members may be selectively and successively moved to functional position and all thrown up again together. This selective mechanism being substantially the same as that l have heretofore disclosed and claimed in a. previous application--Serial Number 566717, filed June 8, 1922, I have not deemed. it necessary to explain it in greater detail, but I illustrate it herein merely to show a suitable means tor selectively operating a plurality of manifolding members.

In order to yieldingjly hold the arms at their limits o'l movement, against inadvertent or accidental displacement, I attach to the outer surface 01 the honsin 5, spring: keepers 29Fi 9;s. 1 and 4-. which act upon the projecting ends of the lever pins 19, '19 and 19". I

As my maui'tolding platen is to be employed. instead oi the ordinary platen, in the original nnmutacture of machines. and is to be substituted for the common platen in existing machines, provision must be made tor the usual functions of such platens. One of these tunctions is its capacity for rotation, reely for variable spacing, and under definite control for line spacing. Obviously, as thus far described, the presence the shaft (3.

of the manifolding elements of the structure running through the platen, prevent any direct mounting or rotative connection bctween the platen member and the shaft 6, so that, in the absence of such connection the rotation of said shaft would not effect the rotation of the platen.

To have this effect, however, I provide the following mechanism and its controls. Referring' now to 1, 30 is a bracket adapted to be fixed by a set screw 31 to a convenient projection, not shown, upon the left hand end of the platen carriage of the machinc. This bracket has a circular flange 32 upon the periphery of which is fitted for rotation the line spacing ratchet 33 which is adapted to be actuated and definitely controlled by the usual mechanisms found on typewriters, but not herein shown. ratchet 33 is provided with an offset internal ring of clutch teeth 34, Figs. 1 and 2.

Feathered upon the projecting left hand end of the shaft 6', is a slidable clutch member 35, adapted to be held either out or in by a latch 36 controlled by a spring 37 and engaging a pair ofnotches 38 in the shaft. A knob 39 is fixed to the clutch member 35 to enable it to be conveniently drawn out or forced in.

The member 35 effects its clutching function by means of an external tooth ring 40, Figs. 1 and 2, which is adapted to slide into the tooth ring 34 of the ratchet 33 or to be withdrawn therefrom, thereby ,rotatively connecting or disconnecting the ratchet with When, therefore, the clutch rings are in engagement, the rotation of the shaft 6 will rotate the ratchet, and when the rings are disengaged. the ratchet is free.

41 is a short countershaft journaled for rotation in the flange 32 of the fixed bracket- 30.

The outer end of this shafthas fitted upon it by a feather, a slidable pinion 42, provided with side, flanges or shrouds 43, Fig. l. fin internal gear 44 on the clutch member 35 enters between the shrouds of the pinion 42 and engages the pinion. Figs. 1 and 2.

The other end of the countershaft 41 passes through the housing 5 and enters the platen. Fin. 1. This end carries a pinion which engages an internal gear .46 of the platen. When theparts are in the position shown in Fig. 1, the rotation of the shaft 6 by means of its turningknob 7 at the right hand end, will turn the clutch member 35 at the other end, and since this member has its internal gear 44 engaging the pinion 42, the countershaft 41 will be rotated. 'lhrougrh the rotation of the shaft 41, the pinion 45 on its other end, engaging the internal gear 46 of the platen, the platen will be rotated- As the clutch member isengaging' the ratchet 33 the latter will also be The p rotated, and as the ratchet is under the exterior control of the usual devices on the machine, the rotation of the platen memher will be definite for line spacing. The same results will follow the rotation of the shaft 6 by turning the left hand knob 39; and also the same results will follow the direct rotation of the ratchet by the customary line spacing lever. But if the rota-- tion of the platen member be required for variable spacing, all that is necessary is to pull. back the clutch member 35 to its outer position. This has the effect of disengaging the ratchet, so thatthe definite external control of the ratchet being dispensed with, the

platen may be turned freely'to any extent desired, since the gear 44 of the clutch 1nemher when the said member is slid back, still remains in engagement with the pinion of the eountershaft 41, due to the sliding back of the pinion also. Nor, in this case, will the line spacing lever acting on the ratchet have any effect on the platen 1ne1nher, because the ratchet is then loose.

In order to vary the width relation of the manifoldinp; members to the line of type impact upon the line spacing movement of the platen, so that said members may present different portions of their width surface to the type blow and thereby prolong their life, provision is made as follows:

The countershaft 41 passes through. the walls of the housing 5in elongated. arcuate slots 47, as seen in Fig. 3, and in one of these slots, said shaft carries a cam 48, which, when the shaft is rotated causes a lllll slight rotation of the housing, and this.

movement of the latter causes the inani fol linn members, when 'ini'unctional position tovary their width relation to the line of type impact. i I

It will be noted that the sleeves 8, 8 and -3, ha\'e merely the function of connectir :1, the paired arms, to enable them to more ll].

unison when the operating mechanism is applied at one end. This is now known in the artQhut, it is obvious. however. that the equally known expedient of applying the arm operating selective pawl mechanism to each arm of an otherwise uncmnieclcd pair,

slide having the laterally projecting stud 51 which is to play in the eccentric guide slot of the housing. in this modification, the arms proper do not slide radially, but the.

lll5

Mil-

mani'lolding members describe their eccentric path due to the radial movement of their carrying slides 50.

A brief resume or the operation 01? the manitolding platen herein described may be of service.

l Vhen the manitolding members out of use, they are well elevated above the platen, as seen in 1, and the record sheets may be entered and manipulated without interference. It a single duplicate only is wanted, the knob 29, is turned, and the se-- lective pawl 24 brings forward the pair of arms 9 of the first mani'tolding member 1%. .ln moving forward, said member describes a path eccentric to t 1e xis of platen, the path closing in on the downward course, until the mani'l olding member comes di rectly and squarely into position close to the platen, in the line at type impact, as

seen in Fig. 7.

It more manifolding members are re quired, they are successively brought for ward to position.

In the return movement, .they gradually diverge from the platen to their normal elevated position. Both in use and out of use, the manifolding elements and structures of the device present no interference to the ordinary and necessary movements and uses of the platen.

I claim 1. A maniztolding platen comprising a platen member; a member bearing a copying medium; a pair of arms for carrying said last named member, pivotally mounted to swing about centers in a line passing longitudinally through the platen member; and means operatii'ig through said platen. member for swinging the arms in unison.

it manitolding platen comprising a platen member; a member l'iearing a copy- "in: medium; a. pair of arms for carrying said last namedv member, pivotally mounted to swing about the axis of the platen member; and means operating through said platen member for swinging the arms in unison.

i). A. maniilolding platen com n'ising platen member; a member bearing a copying medium; a pair of arms for carrying said last named member, pivotally mounted to swing about the axis ol the platen member; and means opeating through said. platen member and about the axis thereof, for swinging the arms in unison.

l. 3:; manii olding platen comprising a platen member; a mani'tolding member; a pair oi arms for carrying said manifold-- ing member: and a rotatable sleeve passing longitudinally through the platen member and carrying said arms for unitary movement.

5. A manitolding platen comprising a platen member; a manifolding member; a

pair of arms for carrying said manifolding member; and a rotatable sleeve passing loi'igitudinally through the platen member in the axis thereof, and carrying said arms tor unitary movement.

(3. A. manitolding platen comprising a platen member; and a member bearing a copying medi m and adapted to swing about an axis passing longitudinally through the platen member.

7. A manilolding platen comprising a platen member; and a member bearing a copying medium and adapted to swing about the axis of the platen member. 7'

8. A manifolding platen comprising a platen member; a-..d a manitoldino; member adapted to swing in a path eccentric to the axis of said member, about an axis passing longitudinally through said platen member.

9. A manilblding platen comprising a platen member; and a manifolding member adapted to swing about the axis of the platen member in a path eccentric to said axis.

10. A. manifolding platen comprising a platen member; a manifolding member adapted to swing about an axis passin longitudinally through the platen member and means operating simultaneously with said swinging movement to render its path ec: entric to the platen axis.

11. A mani'lf'olding platen comprising a on member; a mani'folding member adapted to swing about the axis of the pl ten member; and means operating simultaneously with said swinging movement of the maml'olding member to render its path eccentric to said axis.

12. it man'ii olding platen comprising a platen member; a mani'lolding member; means tor carrying the nianiil olding mem her; and means for mounting said carrying means 'l or simultaneous pivotal movement about an axis passing through the platen member and for radially sliding movement.

13. A mani'tolding platen comprising a platen. member; a mani'lolding member; means for carrying the mzmitohlins: member; and means ilior mounting said carrying means tor simultaneous pivotal movement about and radially sliding movement relatively to the platen member axis.

14;. It manilolding platen comprising a platen member; a manitolding member; means tor carrying the niani'l'olding member: means "for mounting said carrying means for pivotal movement about and radially sliding movementrelatively to the platen member axis; and means operating siniultaneously with the pivotal movement or the carrying means for ell'ecting its radially sliding movement.

15. A monifolding platen comprising a platen member; a manifolding member; a pair of spaced arms for carrying said manipair of spaced arms for carrying-said mani.-

folding member; and means for mounting folding member; means for mounting said, arms plvotally and radially slidable about the platen member axis; and means operating simultaneously .vvith the pivotal: movement of said arms to effect their radially sliding movement. I

1.7. A manifolding platencomprising a platen member; a manifolding.member ;,and

pair of spaced arms for carrying said manifoldlng member, said arms being slotted over the axis of the platen member for pivotal and radially slidable movement.

18. A manit'oldlng platen comprising a platen member; a manifolding member; a

folding member; said arms being slotted over the axis of the platen member for pivotal and radially slidable. movement; and

guides for effecting the sliding movement 01 the arms while executing their pivotal movement.

19. A manifolding platen comprising a platen member; a rotatable shaft passing,

through the axis of the platen member; means associated. with said shaft and platen member for effecting a variable line-spacing movement of the platen men'iber; means as-v sociated with said shaft for effecting a. definite line spacing movement of said platen member; means for throwing said definite linespacing means into-and out of function; a manifolding member; means associated with and adjacent each end of the platen member for carrying said manifolding membe r and moving it into and out of functional position in the line of type impact; and

means passing longitudinally through the platen member connecting said carrying means for unitary operation.

20. A manifolding platen comprising a platen member; a rotatable shaft passing, I

platen member;a rotatable shaft passing through the of said platen member; means associated with said shaft and platen through the axis of said platen member;

means associated with said shaft and platen} line-spacing means into and out ot function a manifolding member; a pair of carrying members for said mamit'oldmg member, mounted for swinging movement about and radially sliding movement relativelyto said shaft, one of said carryingmembers being adjacent each end of the platen-member;

and means operating longitudinally through said platen member for moving ing members in unison. 4

21. A manifolding platen comprising a said carry platenmember; a rotatable shaft passing through the axis of said member; means associated with saidshatt and platen member for effecting a variable line-spacing movement ofthe platen member; means assoc1atedflw thsald shaft for effecting a definite line-spacing movement of said platen member; means for throwingsaid definite linespacing means into and out of function; a manii toldmg member; a pair of carrylng 'members for said .manifolding member,

mounted for swinging movement about and radially sliding movement relatively to said shait, one of said carrying members being adjacent each end of the platen 'member;

means passing through the platen member for connecting said carrying members for unitary movement; a rotatable sleeve mounted on said shaft and means actuated bythe rotation ofsaid sleeve for operating said carrying means to move the manifold- 'ing member into and out of functional position in the line of type impact.

22.:A. manitolding platen comprising a platen member; a rotatable shaft passing thrr'iugh the aXis of said platen member;

means associated with said shaft and platen member for effecting a variable line-spacing movementof the platen member; means associatedwith said shaft for effecting a definite line-spacing movement of said platen member; means for throwing said definite l.inespac'in, means into and out of. function; a manifolding member; a pair of carrying members for said manifolding member, n'iountcd for swinging movement about andradi'ally sliding movement relatively to said shaft,sa1d carrying members being adijacent the ends of the platenmember; means passing through the platen l'i'lQlTlbQI; connecting said carrying members for unitarymovement; means for swinging said car rying members about said shaft; and means 0 i Ior directing them while executing their swinging movement into a path eccentric to said shaft.- I

23, A manifolding platen comprising a member foneffecting a variable line-spacing 1n ovenzient of the platen member; means associated with said shaft foreflectinp; a definite line-spacing movement of said platen member; means for throwing said definite linespacmg means into and out of function; a

mounted for swingingmovement about and radially sliding movement relatively to said shaft, said carrying members being adjacent the ends the platen member; means passing through .the platen member, connecting said carrying members for unitary movement; means for swinging said carrying members about said shaft; and means for directing them while executing their swinging movement into a path eccentric to said shaft, consisting, of studs on the carrying members and eccentrically slotted members in which said studs play.

it. A manifolding platen comprising a platen member; a rotatable shaft passing through the axis of said platen member; means associated with one end of said shaft and said platen member for effecting a variable line-spacing movement of the platen member; means associated with said shaft for effectinga definite line-spacing movement of said platen member; means for throwing said definite line-spacing means into and out of function; a sleeve rotatably mounted upon said shaft within and projecting beyond the ends of the platen member; a pair of arms mounted upon the ends of said sleeve for rotation therewith and radially slidable movement thereon, one arm adjacent each end of the platen member; a manifolding member carried by said pair of arms; a second sleeve rotatably mounted upon one end of the axis shaft; and means actuated by the rotation of said second sleeve for operating said arms to move the manifolding' member into and out of functional position in the line of type impact.

25. A manifolding platen comprising a platen member; a rotatable shaft passing through the axis of said platen member; means associated with one end of said shaft and said platen member for effecting a variable line-spacing movement of the platen member; means associated with said shaft for effecting a definite line-spacing movement of said platen member; means for throwing said definite line-spacing means into and out of function; a sleeve rotatably mounted upon said shaft within and pro jecting beyond the ends of the platen mem her; a pair of arms mounted upon the ends of said sleeve. for rotation therewith and radially slidable movement thereon, one arm adjacent each end of the platen member; a manifolding member carried by said pair of arms; a second sleeve rotatably mounted upon one end of the axis shaft, means actuated by the rotation of said second sleeve for operating said arms to move the manifoldine member into and out of functional position in the line of type impact, and means.for directing the arms in their swinging movement into a path eccentric to the axis shaft.

26. A manifolding platen comprising a platen member: a rotatable shaft passing through the axis of said platen member; means associated with one end of said shaft and said platen member for effecting a vari able line-spacing movement of the platen member; means associated with said shaft for effecting a definite linespacing movement of said platen member; means for throwing said definite line-spacing means into and out of function; a sleeve rotatably mounted upon said shaft within and projecting beyond the ends of the platen member; apair of arms mounted upon the ends of said sleeve for rotation therewith and radially slidable movement thereon, one arm adjacent each end of the platen member; a manifolding member carried by said pair of arms; a second sleeve rotatably mounted upon one end of the axis shaft, means actuated by the rotation of said second sleeve for operating said arms to move the manifolding member into and out of functional position in the line of type impact, and means for directing, the arms in their swinging movement into a path eccentric to the axis shaft consisting of studs on the arms and eccentrically slot-- ted members in which said studs play.

27. A manifolding platen comprising a platen member; a peripherally slotted housing adjacent to and independent of the ends of the platen member; a hollow member in the axis of the platen member, connecting said housings; a shaft passing longitudinally through said hollow member; a pair of arms one in each housing projecting through and playing in the peripheral slots thereof, the inner ends of the arms within the housings being pivotally and radially slidably mounted about the shaft; and a manifolding member carried by and between the outer ends of said pair of arms.

28. A manifolding platen comprising" a platen member; a peripherally slotted housing adjacent to and independent of the ends of the platen member; a hollow member in the axis of the platen member, connecting said housings; a shaft passing longitudinally throughsaid hollow member; a pair of arms one in each housing projecting through and playing in the peripheral slots thereof. the inner ends of the arms within the housings being pivotally and radially slidably mounted about the shaft; a manifolding member carried by and between the outer ends of said pair of arms, a sleeve rotatably mounted on the shaft and coactine' devices on said. sleeve and arms to swing the arms by the rotation of the sleeve.

29. A manifolding platen comprising a platen member; a peripherally slotted housing adjacent to and independent of the ends of the platen member: a hollow member in the axis of the platen member, connecting said housings; a shaft passing longitudinally through said hollow member; a pair of arms one in each housing projecting through and playing in the peripheral slots thereof, the inner ends of the arms within the housings being pivotally and radially slidably mounted about the shaft: :1 manifolding member carried by and between the onter ends of said pair of arms, a

sleeve rotatably mounted on the shaft, coacting devices on said sleeve and arms to swing the arms by the rotation of the sleeve, studs on the arms and slots in the housing wall in which the studs play said slots being eccentric to said shaft.

30. A maniiolding platen comprising a platen member; a peripherally slotted housing adjacent to and independent of the ends oi? the platen member; a hollow member in the axis of the platen member connecting said housings; a shaft passing longitudinally through said hollow member; a pair of arms one in each housing projecting through and playing in the peripheral slots thereof, the inner ends of the arms within the housings being pivotally and radially slidably mounted about the shaft; a manitolding member carried by and between the outer ends of said pair of arms; laterally projecting studs on the arms playing in slots in the side wall of the housing eccentric to the shaft; levers in the housing pivoted on the shaft with one end in engagement with the studs oi the arms; pins on the other ends of the levers playing in slots in the side wall of the housing concentrio with the shaft; a sleeve rotatahly mounted on the shaft: and means carried by the sleeve and engaging the pins o't the levers to operate them.

31. A, manitolding platen comprising a platen member; a peripherally slotted housing adjacent to and independent oi the ends of the platen member; a hollow memher in the axis ot the platen member connecting said housings; a shaft passing longitudinally through said hollow member; a pair 01 arms one in each housing projecting through and playing in the peripheral slots thereof, the inner ends of the arms within the housings being pivotally and radially slidably mounted about the shaft; a manitolding member carried by and bet-ween the outer ends of said pair of arms; laterally projecting studs on the arms playing in slots inthe side wall of the housing eccentric to the sh aft; levers in the housing pivoted on the shaft with one end in engagement with the studs of the arms; pins on the other ends of the levers playing in slots in the side wall oi: the housing concentric with the shaft; sleeve rotatably mounted on the shaft; means carried by the sleeve and engaging the pins of the lovers, to operate them. and springs on the side wall of the housing to yieldably hold the pins of the levers at their limits of movement.

32. A manifolding platen comprising a platen member; a peripherally slotted housin adjacent to and independent or the ends of the platen member; a hollow member in the axis of the platen member connecting said housings; a shaft passing longitudinally through said hollow member; a plurality of independently rotatable nested. sleeves carried by said shaft and projecting into the housing at each end; a plurality ol arms mounted on the projecting ends of the sleeves for rotation therewith and for radially slidable movement thereon, said arms projecting through and playing in the peripheral slots of the housings; mani Folding members carried by the outer ends oi the arms; a rotative member carried by the shaft; and coaeting devices between said rotative member and the arms to operate said arms, selectively and successively.

33. A manitolding platen comprising a platen member; a'peripherally slotted housing adjacent to and independent of the end of the platen member; a hollow member in the axis of the platen member connecting said housings; a shaft passing longitudinally through said hollow member; a plurality of independently rotatable nested. sleeves carried by said shaft and projection into the housing at each end; a plurality of arms mounted on the projecting ends of the sleeves for rotation therewith and for radially slidable movement thereon. said arms projecting through and playing; in the peripheral slots oi the housings; inanitoldim: members carried by the outer ends of the arms; a rotative member carried by the shaft; and (reacting deviceshetween said rotative inomberand the arms to operate said arms, selectively and s'successively consisting of a plurality of levers pivotally mounted on the shaft; studs on the flTIl'lShVllll which the levers engage; pins on the levers: and a selective pawl carried by the relative member for engaging said pins.

34-. A manittolding platen comprising a platen member; a peripherally slotted hons ing adjacent to and independent oi the ends of the platen members; a hollow member in the axis of the platen member eonnect if said housings; a shaft passing loigiturlinally through said hollow member; a plurality of independent y rotatable nested sleeves carried by said shaft and projecting); into the housing at each end; a plurality of arms mounted on the projecting ends of? the sleeves for rotation therewith and for radially slidable movement thereon said arms projecting through and playing in the peripheral slots of the housings; manifolding members carried. by the outer ends of the arms; a rot'ative member carried by the shaft; and coacting devices between said r-otative member and the arms to operate said arms, selectively and successively consisting: of a plurality of levers pivotally mounted on the shaft; studs on the arms with which the levers engage; said studs playing in slots in the side wall of the housing, eccentric to the shaft, pins on the levers; and a selective pawl carried bythe rotative memher for engaging said pins.

35. A manifolding platen comprising a platen member; a rotatable shaft passing through the axis of said platen member and about which said platen member is inclependently mounted; a pair of arms pivotally and radially slidably mounted about said shaft one arm adjacent each end of the platen member; means passing through the platen member for connecting the arms at each end; means for o aerating said arms a manifolding member carried by the arms; a counter shaft passing into one end of the platen member and geared thereto for rotating said member; and means rotatively connecting the shaft and said counter shaft.

36. A manifolding platen comprising a platen member; a rotatable shaft passing through the axis of said platen member and about which said platen member is independently mounted; a pair of arms pivotally and radially slidably mounted about said shaft one arm adjacent each end of the platen member; means passing through the platen member for connecting the arms at each end; means for operating said arms; a manifolding member carried by the arms; a counter shaft passing into one end of the platen member and geared thereto for rotating said member; means rotatiyely connecting the axis shaft and said counter shaft; a relatively mounted line spacing ratchet; and a controllable clutch on the axis shaft to engage and disengage said ratchet.

37. A manifolding platen comprising a rotatable platen member; an oscillatable housing adjacent to and independent of the platen member ends said housings being connected by a longitudinal member through the platen member and upon which said platen member is independently rotatable; a rotatable shaft extending through the axis of the platen member; arms pivotally mounted about said axis shaft and extending radially through and playing in slots in the peripheries of the housings; a manifolding member carried by and between the outer ends of said arms; a rotatable counter shaft extending through one of said housings and into one end of the platen member and geared therein to rotate said platen member; coacting means between the axis shaft and the counter shaft to connect them for rotative engagement; and a cam on said counter shaft acting Within an arcuate slot in the housing wall to oscillate said housing.

38. A manifolding platen comprising a platen member; peripherally slotted housing members adjacent to and independent of the ends of the platen member; an axis shaft common to said platen member and housing members; a laterally resilient arm in each housing member, the inner end of the arm being pivotally and radially slidably mounted about the common axis, said arm projecting through and playing in the peripheral slot of its housing member; means for directing the arms while executing their pivotal movement about the axis,-into a path eccentric thereto; and a manifolding member carried by and between the outer ends of the arms.

39. A manifolding platen comprising a platen member; a manifolding member; a pair of arms for carrying said manifolding member, pivotally mounted to swing about centers in a line passing longitudinally through the platen member; means operating through said platen member for swinging the arms in unison; means for effecting a Variable line-spacing movement of the platen member; means for effecting a definite line spacing movement of the platen member; and means for selectively operating either line spacing means.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this s v ecification.

LCOLM L. COSSITT. 

